Easy Eight Baseball Power Rankings as of Sept. 9
Easy Eight Baseball Power Rankings as of Sept. 9
We’re now in September and the last month of the baseball season. The division leaders are not pulling away though Milwaukee is pretty much a lock to win the NL Central. The only change took place over the weekend when the Yankees took over first place in the AL East by a ½ game over Baltimore. Let's take a look at the top eight teams in the game as of Sept. 9
(odds from Draft Kings)
1)Los Angeles Dodgers (86-57). NL Odds: +155
The Dodgers may limp into the postseason as SP Gavin Stone (shoulder) is now injured. Tyler Glasnow (elbow) and Clayton Kershaw (toe) are already hindered by injuries. Despite that, they are six games ahead of the Padres and 6.5 ahead of Arizona in the NL West after going 7-3 in their last 10 games. It helps to have depth and the game’s best player in Shohei Ohtani (.291, 46 HR, 101 RBI, 46 SB).
2)Philadelphia Phillies (85-58). NL Odds: +255
The Phillies lost two straight to the Marlins, including a 10-1 loss on Sunday. Fortunately, that was their first losing streak since Aug 22-23. They’ve won seven of their last 10 games. They have a seven-game lead over the Mets and Braves in the NL East. Alec Bohm (hand) was placed on the injured list. Bohm is hitting .290 with 13 homers and 89 RBIs. Fortunately, they have red-hot Kyle Schwarber (.250, 33, 93), who is dominating through September. Philly should be in good shape going into the playoffs with one of the better starting rotations in baseball led by Zach Wheeler (14-6, 2.59 ERA) and Ranger Suarez (12-6, 2.90).
3)Milwaukee Brewers (82-61). NL Odds: +750
The Brewers lead the NL Central by nine games over the Cubs and 10 games over the Cardinals. Jackson Chourio has been spectacular as a 20-year-old with a .273 average with 19 homers, 69 RBIs and 20 steals and .465 Slugging. Milwaukee possesses the best run differential in the major, but you have to wonder if losing Christian Yelich (.315, 11, 42) for the year will cost them at some point.
4)New York Yankees (82-61). AL Odds: +250
The Bronx Bombers are back in first place in the AL East despite losing on Sunday to the Cubs. After losing two of three at Texas, they won two of three at the Chicago Cubs. That’s despite scoring just six runs in three games. Aaron Judge is in a slump and hasn’t homered since Aug. 25. Right now, he’s on pace for 57 homers. Luis Gil (13-6, 3.24 ERA) back in the rotation is enormous. Now they need Clay Holmes (2-5, 3.21 ERA, 29 svs, 11 blown) to get back to form.
5)Houston Astros (75-63). AL Odds:+390
The Astros have won six of their last 10 games, but are just 4.5 games ahead of Seattle and 7.5 ahead of Texas in the AL West. OF Kyle Tucker (fractured shin) returned on Friday and had a hit in two games over the weekend. Tucker, Alex Bregman (.259, 22, 65) and Yordan Alvarez (.311, 32, 80) are one of the best trios in the league. They play Oakland and the LA Angels 10 times over the next two weeks. They should be able to wrap up the AL West after that span.
6)Baltimore Orioles (82-62). AL Odds: +360
The Orioles are playing .500 ball in the second half and are coming off a very disappointing 1-2 series against Tampa Bay at home. At least the pitching is starting to turn around with Zach Eflin back in the rotation and healthy. The hitting has been a disaster in the second half. SS Gunnar Henderson has been a bright spot with 36 homers. However, C Adley Rutschman is hitting just .197 with a .289 slugging percentage since the All-Star break.
7)Cleveland Guardians (81-62). AL Odds: +450
Just when they looked like they were pulling away, Cleveland lost two straight games. After Kansas City won four straight, the Guards are now just 2.5 games up on KC and five games ahead of Minnesota. It didn’t help that they played the Dodgers on the road, losing two of three games. But before that series, they got some revenge over the Royals, winning the first two games out of three. The key is to get the ball to their bullpen where closer Emmanuel Clase has 29 straight saves and has allowed just five earned runs all season.
8)San Diego Padres (81-64). NL Odds: +750
The Padres are in pretty good shape to make a wild card, but they also just lost two straight games. Closer Robert Suarez has been outstanding this year at 8-3 with a 2.54 ERA with 31 saves. However, he’s given up at least one run in six of his last 13 outings and has a 6.57 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP in that span.
